Coin-controlled crediting and debiting apparatus for vending machines



Aug. 25, 1953 M. G. NELSEN COIN-CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 9, 1947 INVENTOR. [Van/in G/Yelaem Y 331/93/9 l nm M. G. NELSEN 2,649,947 -CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 25, 1953 COIN Filed July 9, 1947 .J. d m M m a, H". w l a .IIIIL MW QM RN Aug. 25, 1953 M. a. NELSEN 2,649,947

COIN-CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed July 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A 4 I IINVENTOR. Yarz/in m Aug. 25, 1953. M. G. NELSEN 2,649,947

COIN-CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed July 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

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,UJ .272 Z1 Z2 Aug. 25, 1953 M. G. NELSEN COIN-CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VENDING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1947 INVENTOR. ZVarz/L'n/ G/Melaem, BY

Patentecl Aug. 25, 1953 COIN-CONTROLLED CREDITING AND DEBITING APPARATUS FOR VEND- ING MACHINES Marvin G. Nelsen, Skokie, Ill., assignor to Guardian Electric Manufacturing 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,802-

13 Claims. 1

1 This invention relates to coin Controlled pparatus and particularly to coin controlled pparatus wherein various articles at different prices or the same price may be selectively vended and the correct change returned in each instance if more money than the price of the merchandise is inserted in the apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide coin controlled apparatus for vending several articles of different prices or the same price and deliver correct change when more than the price of the article desired to be purchased is placed in the machine by the vendee.

It is another object of the invention to provide such coin controlled apparatus which is substantially fool-proof and is relatively simple in'construction and operation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide coin controlled apparatus of the type specified-which is extremely fast in its operation and which delivers the proper article to be vended and the correct change in a very short time.

' It is a further object of the invention to prevent the selection and delivery of more than one article at a time in coin controlled apparatus of 'the above type. 7

It is still another object of the invention to provide coin controlled apparatus of the abov mentioned type which is, for practical purposes, unlimited in the number of different articles it will vend at the same or different prices.

' It is a further object of the invention to provide coin controlled apparatus of the abovementioned type which is practically unlimited in the price or prices of the artcle to be vended, depending on the denomination of the coins available for use in the apparatus; also to D vide ready adjustment of the prices.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide improved coin controlled apparatus and an electrical circuit therefor.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

-Figure 1 is a top plan view of the coin controlled apparatus;

Figure 2 is a view, partially in section, of the rear of the contact plate and movable Contactor, taken on line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial view of the mechanism 2 illustrating various coin operated switches, taken on line IIIIII of Figure l Figure 4 is a'partial sectional view of the pparatus, taken on line IV-IV of Figure 1, il-

' lustrating a change pay-out solenoid;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view, taken on line V-V of Figure 1, showing one of the interlock relays;

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view taken on line VIVI of Figure 1, showing one of the impulse relays;

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view, taken on line VIIVII of Figure 1 showing another impulse relay;

Figure 8 is a partial diagrammatic view of the apgaratus including a schematic wiring diagram; an

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the remainin portion of the apparatus and wiring diagram.

Referring specifically to the drawing for a detailed description of the apparatus and circuit, and particularly to Figures 1, 8 and 9, numeral l l designates a base plate on which are mounted a coin chute, switches and coin rejecting apparatus, generally indicated at I2, and a number of relays, solenoids and contact elements. Specifically, the base plate supports a credit add and subtract device including an add stepper relay l3, 2. subtract stepper relay hi and a contact carrying plate l5. The base plate also has mounted thereon a pair of interlock relays I 6 and I1, a pair of impulse relays l8 and IS, a plurality of push-button contactors 20a, 20b and 200, a slow release relay 2| an intermediate relay 22, a plurality of vending solenoids 24a, 24b and 240, a change pay-out solenoid 25 for releasing nickels or coins of larger denominations, a selenium rectifier 21, if desired, and a push-button locking solenoid 30.

The add relay l3 comprises a coil 28 and an armature 29 pivoted at 3!. The armature 29 is provided with an extension 32 which is adapted to engage with teeth 33 of a ratchet wheel 34, WhlCh is secured to a shaft 35 journalled in the front of an upright rectangular frame gene y indicated at 36. A spring 37 secured to the armature 29 and to a stud 38 tends to bias the armature upwardly and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 34. A detent 30a is provided for ratchet Wheel 34. The add relay I3 is adapted to rotate the ratchet Wheel 34 in one direction.

The subtract relay l4 comprises a coil 39 and an armature 4| pivoted at 42. The armature 4| is provided with an extension 43 which is adapted to engage the teeth 33 of ratchet wheel 34, to rotate the wheel in the opposite direction from the add relay I3. A spring 44 secured to the armature 4I and to the stud 38 tends to bias armature 4I upwardly and out of engagement with teeth 33. A relay operated switch generally indicated at 45 above the subtract coil comprises a pair of fixed contacts 46 and 41 and movable contacts 48 and 591), which are mounted on an arm snapped between the fixed contacts 45 and 41 by operating member 49 which is moved by armature 4| and a hairpin spring 5I, which causes the snap action. Terminals 59 and 59a are provided for one of the fixed contacts 46 and for movable contact 48.

The contactor plate I5 is supported from the front of the rectangular frame 36 from studs 52 and has a large number of contacts 53 arranged in a circle thereon and extending completely through plate I5. The first sixteen contacts are denoted as contacts 530. to 5350 inclusive. Also mounted on the plate I5 is a sprin contact 54 extending from the front of the plate to a position in back thereof and continuously engaging a contact disc 55 which is mounted on shaft 35 and rotates therewith. This is best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8. The disc 55 is provided with a projecting arm 56 having a contact button 51 thereon, which engages with one of the contacts 53 depending on the position of ratchet wheel 34 and disc 55.

Referring now to the interlock relays I6 and I1, these are identical in construction, except for the number of contacts on the switches, and are best shown in Figures 1, 5 and 9, only one side view being illustrated since the relays are the same. However, for the sake of clarity of the wiring diagram, Figure 9, the parts of each relay will be given separate numbers and relay I6 may be referred to as Interlock Relay #2 and relay I1 as Interlock Relay #1. Relay I6 comprises a pair of coils 58 and 59 mounted on a suitable frame supported on base plate II. Coil 58 is provided with a pivoted armature 6i normally urged away from the coil by a spring 52. Armature 6| is provided with an upwardly extending switch operating member 63 and with a latch element 64. An armature 65 is associated with coil 59 and is normally held away from coil 59 by a spring 66. The bottom edge of the armature 65 cooperates with latch element 64 to hold armature SI in its lower position, for a purpose hereinafter explained. Stops 61 and 68 for respective armatures 6| and 65 limit movement thereof away from coils 58 and 59.

The switch operating member 63 operates a switch generally indicated at 59, which comprises two movable switch blades II and 12 each having a contact 13 and 14 thereon, respectively. Two relatively fixed spring switch blades 15 and 16 are associated with the respective movable switch blades H and 12 and have respective contacts 11 and 19 thereon. Terminals 89 and 8! are associated with the respective movable blades H and 12 and terminals 82 and 83 are associated with the two respective fixed blades 15 and 16.

The interlock relay I1 comprises a pair of coils 84 and 85 mounted on a suitable frame 81 supported on base plate II. Coil 84 is provided with a pivoted armature 93 normally urged away from the coil by a spring 89. Armature 89 is provided with an upwardly extending switch operating member 9i and with a latch element 92. A pivoted armature 93 is associated with coil and is normally held away therefrom by a spring 94. The bottom edge of armature 93 cooperates with the latch element 92 to hold armature 99 in its lower position for a purpose hereinafter described. Stops and 96 for respective armatures 88 and 93 limit movement thereof away from coils 58 and 59.

The switch operating member 9| operates a switch generally indicated at 91 which comprises three movable switch blades 98, 99 and MI each having a contact I92, I93 and I94 thereon, respectively. Three relatively fixed spring switch blades I95, I96 and I91 are associated with the respective movable switch blades and have respective contacts I98, I99 and III thereon. Terminals II2, H3 and H4 are associated with the respective movable switch blades 98, 99 and IIII and terminals H5, H6 and H1 are associated with the respective fixed switch blades, I95, I96 and I91.

Referring specifically to Figures 6 and '1 for a detailed description of the relays I8 and I9, which may be termed a dime and a quarter relay, respectively, numeral I2I designates similar upright spaced plates which are mounted on the base plate II. The plates I2I have square cut-outs I22 therein bent over to form horizontal supporting flanges I23. L-shaped brackets I24 are supported by angles I25 secured to the plates I2I, which L-shaped brackets I24 support respective electromagnets or coils I26 and I21, respectively, for the relays I8 and I9, as well as copper time delay slugs I28 and I29 below each of the coils.

The angles I25 are provided with overhanging portions I3I having apertures therein (not shown) which provide knife edges or pivot points for pivoted armatures I32 and I33 associated with the coils I26 and I21, respectively. The armatures I32 and I33 are provided with grooved extensions I34 and I35, respectively, extending through the aforesaid apertures to retain the armatures in position on their pivot points. Brackets I36 having downwardly turned flanges I31 are secured to angles I25 and limit movement of the armatures I32 and I33. Angles I25 are also provided with lower horizontal exten sions I38 and tension springs I39 are connected between the extensions I34 and I35 of armatures I32 and I33 and extensions I38 of angles I 25.

Laminations I4I of insulating material are secured to the tops of the brackets I36 and retain fixed contact arms I42 and I43 and a movable arm I 44 above coil I26 and fixed contact arms I45 and I45, and movable arm I 41 above coil I21. Extensions I43 from brackets I36 extend horizontally above the main portion of armatures I32 and I33 and provide upper limit stops therefor.

The movable arms I44 and I41 extend through slits I49 in insulating pieces I5I attached to the outer ends of the main parts of armatures I32 and I33, as best shown in Figure 1. The movable arms I44 and I41 are formed of spring steel. Flexible fingers I52 and I53 supported from laminations I4I carry contacts I54, I 55, and I56, I51 on opposite sides of the respective flexible fingers I52, I53. Hairpin springs I58 are anchored at one end to an intermediate portion of the movable arms I44 and I41, and at the other end to the flexible fingers I52 and I53, respectively. The fixed contact arms I42 and I 43 of relay I8 are provided with contacts I59 and NH, respectively, and fixed contact arms I45 and I46 of relay I9 are provided with contacts I62 and I63, respectively. The hairpin springs I58 provide for snap-acting movement of the movable fingers I52 and I53 after the corresponding armatures I 32 and I33 are moved downwardly by energization of coils I26 and I21 and after the armatures are moved upwardly by the tension springs I39 upon deenergization of the coils I26 and I21.

Extensions I64 and I65 secured to the main portion of armatures I32 and I33 extend through lower slits (not shown) in the insulating plates I5I and leaf spring members I66 are secured to the extensions and bias wire pawls I61 and I68 toward ratchet wheels I69 and HI I8 and I9, respectively. The ratchet wheels I69 and HI are journalled on shafts I12 and I13, respectively, supported from the upright supporting plates I2I. The outer ends of plates I2I are cut and provided with oblique flanges I14. Leaf springs I 15 are secured to the plates I2I adjacent the oblique flanges I14 and retain detent' balls I16 in engagement with the ratchet wheels I69 and HI through apertures (not shown) in oblique flanges I14-to add slight resistance to rotation of the ratchet wheels.

Laminations I11 are secured to the underside oi flanges I23 and support substantially fixed Eight equally spaced notches I88 are providedv Movable contact arm I83 is provided with an angular extension in the periphery of wheel I81.

I89 shaped to fit into the notches I885] V A wheel I9I also preferably formed'of insulating material, is mounted on shaft I13 of relay I9 and rotates when ratchet wheel I1I is rotated. Four equally spaced notches I92 are provided in the periphery of wheel I9I.

I93 shaped to fit into the notches I92.

Terminals I94, I95 and I96 are provided on the upper fixed switch arm I42, the movable switch arm I44 and the lower fixed switch arm I43, re-' spectively, of relay I8 and terminals I91 and I98 are provided for the coil I26 of relay I8. Likewise, terminals I99, 266 and 26I are associated with the upper fixed contact arm I45, the movable contact arm I41 and the lower fixed contact arm I46, respectively, of relay I9. Terminals 262 and 263 are provided for coil I21 of relay I9.

The slow release relay 2! comprises an upright angle member 264 supported from the base plate II, which supports a coil 265 provided with a group of time delay copper slugs 266 therebelow.

An armature 201 is associated with the coil 265 and is normally biased away from the coilby a tension spring 268, a stop 269 limiting the upward movement of the armature. A switch, generally indicated at 2 I 6, is also supported on the angle 264 and comprises a relatively fixed'spring contact arm 2 having a contact 2IIa thereon and a.

movable spring'contact arm 2 I2 having a contact 2 I3 thereon. A plate of insulating'material 2I4 is secured to the armature 261 and the end of the movable contact arm 2I2 extends therethrough of relays Movable contactw arm I84 is provided with an angular extension.

and is moved up and down upon energization and de-energization of the coil 265. The coil 265 is provided with two terminals 2I5 and 2I6 thereon and the switch 2 I 6 is provided with two terminals 2I1 and 2I8 on the fixed and movable contact arms 2H and 2I2, respectively.

The intermediate or change pay-out relay 22 comprises an angle member 2I9 supported on the base plate II, which angle member in turn supports a coil 22 I. A. pivoted armature 22 2 is associated with the coil 22I and a tension spring 223 normally retains the armature 222 away from the coil 22I. A switch generally indicated at 224 is mounted above the coil 22I and includes two movable contact arms 225 and 225a, having contacts 226 and 2260, thereon and relatively fixed spring contact arms 221, 2210. and 2211) having contacts 228 and 2280. thereon. A plate of insulating material 229 is connected to the armature and the ends of the movable contact arms 225 and 225a extend therethrough and are moved up and down upon energization and deenergization of the coil 22I. A stop 23I limits the upward movement of the armature 222. The coil 22I is provided with two terminals, 232 and 233, and the switch 224 is provided with terminals 234 and 234a for movable contact arms 225 and 225a, and terminals 235, 235a and 23512 for fixed contact arms 221, 221a and 2211). Copper slugs 236 are provided under the coil 22I.

The vending or package discharge solenoids 24a, 28b and 240 and the nickel change pay-out solenoid 25 are all identical and comprise coils 248a to 246d, respectively, and movable cores 26111 to 241d, respectively. Furthermore, the package or vending solenoids 24a, 24b and 240 are associated with slides 248a, 2481) and 2480, which are moved by the cores 241a, 2411) and 2410 to drop packages 249a, 2491) and 2490 of the material to be vended through respective package chutes (not shown). On the other hand, the nickel change pay-out solenoid 25, when operated, operates a slide 256 to drop a nickel 25I through a suitable change chute (not shown).

The coin switch and rejection mechanism I2 is of standard design and in the present case includes three switches 254, 255 and 256, which are operated by nickels, dimes and quarters, respectively, droppin through the proper chutes of the coin mechanism I2. The nickel chute is indicated at 251, the dime chute at 258, and the quarter chute at 259. The nickel switch 254 is provided with terminals 26! and 262, the dime switch 255 with terminals 263 and 264, and the quarter switch 256 with terminals 265 and 236.

These switches 254, 255 and 256 each contain contacts therein (not shown) which are closed when a coin passes through the respective chutes and operates coin actuated arms 261, 268 and 269 on the respective nickel, dime and quarter switches.

The coin chutes, rejecting mechanism and coin switches are of conventional design and form no part of the present invention per se. The selenium rectifier 21 is also standard equipment and may be used where it is desired to operate the various relays and solenoids on direct current from an alternating current source of supply. Further description of the coin chutes, rejecting mechanism, coin switches, and rectifier is therefore deemed unnecessary.

The push-button contactors 26a, 26b and 260 comprise separate manually operated buttons 21I, 212, and 213, respectively, which are preferably of the standard radio push-button type control, wherein manually pushing in of one button releases the button pushed in before. The push-button locking device 39 comprises a coil 214 and a solenoid 215 having a downward extension 213 adapted to engage with a slidable member 211 to prevent operation or pushing in of a push button other than the one already pushed in, if the coil 214 is energized. The purpose and operation of this construction will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Operating members 210a, 2182) and 2180 are provided for respective switches generally indicated by numerals 219a, 21% and 2190. The switches are shown in the position that they assume when the respective push buttons are in their outward position, that is, not pushed in.

Referring to switch 219a, it includes four movable contact arms 28!, 282, 283 and 284. Movable contact arm 23! has upper and lower cntacts 285 and 286 thereon and moves between two relatively fixed spring contact arms 231 and 288, having contacts 289 and 29! thereon. Movable contact arm 282, likewise, has upper and lower contacts 292 and 293 thereon and moves between two fixed spring contact arms 294 and 295, having contacts 296 and 291 thereon. Movable contact arm 283 has a contact 298 thereon, cooperating with a contact 299 on a fixed spring contact arm 39!. Movable contact arm 284 has a contact 302 thereon cooperating with a contact 303 on a fixed spring contact arm 394. Terminals 395 to 3|4 inclusive are provided for the contact arms 281, 28!, 289, 294, 282, 295, 283, 33!, 284 and 304, respectively. Terminals 3l3 and 3 I1 are provided on coil 246a of solenoid 24a.

Referring to switch 21%, it also includes four movable contact arms 3!8, 3!9, 32!, and 322. Movable contact arm 3!8 has upper and lower contacts 323 and 324 thereon and moves between two relatively fixed spring contact arms 325 and 326, having contacts 321 and 328 thereon. Movable contact arm 3!9 likewise has upper and lower contacts 329 and 33! thereon and moves between fixed spring contact arms 332 and 333, having contacts 334 and 335 thereon. Movable contact arm 32! has a contact 336 thereon, which cooperates with a contact 331 on a fixed contact arm 339. Movable contact arm 322 has a contact 339 thereon which cooperates with a contact 34! on a fixed contact arm 342. Terminals 343 to 352 inclusive are provided for the contact arms 325, 3!8, 326, 332, 319, 333, 32!, 338, 322, and 342, respectively. Terminals 353 and 354 are provided for the coil 2461) of the solenoid 2412.

Referring to switch 2190, it likewise includes four movable contact arms 355, 356, 351 and 358. Movable contact arm 355 has upper and lower contacts 359 and 36! thereon and moves between two fixed spring contact arms 382 and 393 having contacts 334 and 365 thereon. Movable contact arm 356 likewise has contacts 306 and 361 thereon, and moves between two fixed spring contact arms 369 and 399 having contacts 31! and 312 thereon. Movable contact arm. 351 has a contact 313, which cooperates with a contact 314 on a fixed spring contact arm 315. Movable contact arm 358 has a contact 316 thereon which cooperates with a contact 311 on fixed spring contact arm 318. Terminals 319 to 388 inclusive are provided for the contact arms 362, 355, 383, 398, 353, 369, 351, 315, 358 and 318, respectively. Terminals 389 and 39! are provided on coil 2460 of solenoid 240.

Operation Assuming first that the apparatus is arranged to vend 15, 35 and 60 items, terminals 3!2 and 3 l4 of switch 219a are connected to the second and third contacts 530 and 53d from initial contact 5311 on contact member !5 by conductors 400 and 40!, respectively. Likewise, terminals 350 and 352 of switch 2191) are connected to the sixth and seventh contacts 53g and 53h from initial contact 53a by conductors 402 and 403, respectively, and terminals 383 and 388 of switch 2190 are connected to the eleventh and twelfth contacts 53-! and 53m from initial contact 53a by conductors 404 and 405. Preferably, the coin responsive switches 254, 255 and 253 are operated by nickels, dimes or quarters, respectively,

3!2-3|4, 350-352 and 386-388 may be connected to any respective adjacent contacts 53 to change the price of the articles or items to be vended, and that the coin responsive switches 254, 255 and 253 may be operated by coins of other denominations, such as dimes, quarters and half dollars, and the impulse relays l8 and !9 by quarters and half dollars.

Assuming now that the purchaser wishes to purchase the 15 item, the push-button 21! is pushed in and if it is not already in, it releases the other two push-buttons, and moves the switches 21% and 2190 to the position shown in Figure 9, with contacts 323-321 and 329-334 of switch 2192; closed, contacts 359-364 and 366-31! of switch 2190 closed, and the remaining contacts of these two switches open. However, on switch 219a, the 15 switch, contacts 285-289 and contacts 292-293 are opened, and contacts 286-29l, 293-291, 298-299 and 302-303 are closed.

Assuming that the purchaser then places the.

When a nickel is inserted in the coin chute,.

the contacts of the nickel responsive switch 254 are closed, and a D. C. circuit is established from the positive side of line D! through terminal 26!, conductor 406, momentarily closed contacts of nickel switch 254, conductor 401, terminal 262, conductor 408, terminal I99, conductor 409, terminal I94, conductor 4! through the add coil 28 and back to line D2 through conductor 4!2, thus energizing the add coil 28 once and immediately de-energizing it when the nickel passes the nickel switch 254. The contact arm 56 is, therefore, moved one step by the mechanism described to engage contact 53b and disengage from initial contact 5311.

It will be noted that the initial movement of the disc 55 carrying contact arm 56 mechani-v cally closes contacts M3 and M4 mounted on switch arms M5 and 4! 6, respectively, because the end of spring switch arm M5 is released by a projection M1 on disc 55 moving away from switch arm M5. The contacts 4l3-4! 4, therefore, remain closed until the contact arm 56 is again returned to the initial contact 53a and end of switch arm M5 is forced to the open position. Terminals 4!!! and M9 are provided for switch arms 5 and M6.

An A. C. circuit is, therefore, established from line Ll, through a conductor 42! connected to terminal 4!9, closed contacts 4l3-4l4, terminal 4|8, conductor 423, through A. C. coil 30 and 9. back to line L2 through a conductor 424. .The push-button lock solenoid 30 is, therefore, energized and locks the remaining push-buttons and prevents them from being pushed in and thus prevents closure of contacts 324-328 and 33I-335 of switch 21% and contacts 361-365 and 361-312 of switch 2190. It is, therefore, impossible to energize article dispensing solenoids 24b and 240 and accidental or intentional delivery of the articles, whose delivery is controlled by those solenoids, is prevented. Obviously, the push-button lock solenoid 30 remains energized until a vending operation is completed and the disc 55 and contact arm 56 returned to their initial position. The same operation takes place regardless of the denomination of the coin first inserted since, as will be apparent as the description proceeds, the credit coil 28 is immediately energized as soon as a coin is deposited, and contacts 413-414 are mechanically closed to energize push button locking solenoid 30.

Another D. C. circuit is established when the nickel switch 254 is operated, to energize the slow release or circuit locking relay coil 205, although no useful function is effected by such energization. This circuit follows the D. C. circuit before described, from line DI through conductor 4H, and then branches through a conductor 425 to terminal 215 of slow release coil 205, through coil 205, terminal 216 and back to line D2 through conductor 426. Coil 205 is thus energized and contacts 2Hc-2i3 are opened. However, unless other coins are quickly deposited, coil 205 is deenergized and contacts 2lla-2I3 are closed. Opening and closing of contacts 2! la-2l3, however, does not establish or break any circuits at this time, except to isolate a conductor 421 between terminal 2l1 of the slow release relay 2| and terminal N5 of interlock relay switch 91, since contacts l02-I08 of that switch are open.

Assume now that another nickel is inserted to operate nickel switch 254, the same sequence of operations are followed and circuits established as described above, and contact arm 56 is moved to the second contact 530 from initial contact 53a. No circuits are established except that the conductor 400 extending between contact 530 and terminal 3I2' of switch 219a and terminal H3 of switch 91 of interlock relay l1, are both connected to A. C. line Ll through conductor 421, disc 55 andcontact arm 56. It is noted at this time-that contacts 298-299 of switch 219a are closed and contacts l03-l09 of switch 91 are open.

Assume now that another nickel is inserted to operate the nickel switch 254, again the same circuits are established and operations are followed as described above, and the contact arm 56 is stepped to the third contact 53d from initial contact 53a. The following additional circuits are then established.

An A. C. circuit is established from line Ll, through conductor 42I, disc 55, movable contact arm 56, contact 53d, conductor 40I, closed contacts 302-303 of switch'219a, a conductor 429, mil of'interlock relay i1 and back to line L2 through conductor 43l. The c'oil84 is thus energized and its armature 88 is locked in its downward position by the latch 92. Contacts l02-l08 and 103-109 of switch 91'are, therefore, c1osed-.

Closure of contacts l02-l08 establish the following circuits. First, a circuit is established from D. C. line Dl,.through a conductor 432,

1% closed contacts 2! Ira-213 (which are closed'as soon as all coins are credited), conductor 421 and closed contacts I02-l08.

A branch circuit from terminal N2 of interlock switch 91 is established through a conductor 431 through closed contacts 226a-228a, through a conductor 438, through subtract coil 39 of the stepper means and back to line D2 through a conductor 439. The switch arm 56 is, therefore, moved from contact 53d to contact 53c and subtract. switch 45 is immediately operated by energization of the subtract coil 39, and the merchandise dispensing'solenoid 24a, is operated to dispense a 15 article through energization of coil 246a as follows: One branch circuit then is established from terminal H2 of switch 91, through a conductor 434 to terminal 500. of stepper relay switch 45, through closed contacts 41-592), through terminal 50, conductor 435, change payout relay coil 221 and back to lin D2 through a conductor 436, thus energizing change payout relay coil 22L Contacts 226c-228a, are opened and'contacts 226-228 are closed each time the coil 221 is energized. Each time coil 22! is de-energized contacts 226a, 228a are returned to closed position and contacts 226, 228 are returned to open position;

Operation of the change payout relay and closure of contacts 226-228 establishes the following A. C. circuit, as soon as contact arm 56 reaches contact 530: from line LI, through conductor 421, disc 55, contact arm 56, conductor 400, closed contacts298-299 of switch 21911., through a conductor 44l, through closed contacts [03-109 of interlock switch 91, through a conductor 442, a conductor 443, closed contacts 286-291 of switch 21911., through a conductor 444, 15 merchandise payout coil 246a, a conductor 445, closed contacts 293-291 of switch 219a, through a conductor 446, through closed contacts 329-334 of switch 219b, a conductor 441, closed contacts 366-31l of switch 2190 and through a conductor 448 to line L2. The 15 coil 2460, is thereby energized to deliver a 15 article.

Opening ofthe contacts 41-501) of subtract; switch 45 breaks the circuit through the change payout relay coil 22!, starting from line DI and conductor 432 and ending at conductor 436 and line D2. The change payout relay coil 22! is thereby deenergized. Contacts 226a-228a. are then closed, and subtract coil 39 is reenergized, thus closing contacts 41-5012, again energizing change payout relay coil 22l and again opening contacts 226a-228a. This alternating operation continues as long as contacts l02-l08 of switch 91 are latched closed, which condition exists until movable contact arm 56 reaches the initial contact 53a, again, arm 56 being stepped back one contact each time the subtract coil 39 is energized, as hereinbefore described. 7

The change payout switch 224 is first operated when the movable contact arm 56 is moved from the third contact 53d to the second contact 530 and at that time the coil 58 of interlock relay I6 is operated to open contacts 13-11 and close contacts 14-18 of switch 69. As long as contacts 13-11 are open, energization of the change payout'solenoid 246d is impossible, even though contacts 226-228 of the change payout switch 224 are being alternately opened and closed.

The coil 58 operates more rapidly than the coil 22 I, so as to open contacts 13, 11 before contacts 226, 228 are closed, thus opening the circuit to the change payoutsolenoid 246d,

When the movable contact arm 56 reaches initial contact 53a, the following circuits are established to energize reset coils 59 and 85 of interlock relays I6 and I! to reset the contacts of switches 69 and 91 to the positions shown in Figures 9 and 10, thus stopping operation of the add and subtract stepper means, since contacts 12-468 are opened. The A. C. circuits which are established are from conductor 42I, the disc 5.5, contact arm 56, contact 53a, through a conductor 449 to terminal II4, closed contacts Ifl4-III of switch 91, through a conductor 45I, reset coil 85 and back to line L2 through conductors 452 and 43!, thus energizing reset coil 85. A simultaneous branch circuit is established from terminal H4. of interlock switch 91, through a conductor 453, through closed contacts I4'I8 of interlock switch 69, through a conductor 454, reset coil 59, a conductor 455 and back to line L2 through conductor 446. Immediately upon energization of the reset coils 59 and 85, the latches B4 and 92 are released and contacts 'I.4-. 'I8 of interlock switch 69 and contacts I.B.4-.-.I II of interlock switch 91 are opened, thus deene-rgizing the reset coils. 59. and 85. If continuous duty coils 59 and 85 are used, contacts I4-'I8 and III4III. are not essential. Obviously, contacts 'I3TI of interlock switch 69 are closed and contacts IIJ2III8 and I03-IIJ9 of interlock switch 91 are opened at this time, thus conditioning the circuit and apparatus for another vending operation.

Assume now that more than suificient coins are inserted for purchasing a 15 article, for example, two dimes or a quarter. Some coin chutes automatically reject excess coins?for example, if three dimes were inserted for purchasing a 15 article, the third dim would not operate the dime switch, but would be immediately returned.

Such coin chutes are well known and no further description is believed to be necessary.

If two dimes are inserted, the 10 switch 255 is operated twice very quickly, and four credits are set up, since the add or credit coil I3 of the stepper is energized four times in the following manner, and the following sequence of operations occur.

A D. C. circuit is established from line DI, through terminal 2 6I, conductor 356, terminal 266, conductor 451, terminal 264, conductor 458, closed contacts (not shown) of 10 switch 255, a conductor 459, terminal I96, through conductor 46I, through coil L26 of the 10 impulse relay I8, through conductors 462- to terminal 204: and back to. line D2. The coil I26 is thus energized and wheel I8! turned one step, in a manner hereinbefore described. Ihe projection [89 is, there fore, raised from notch I88 of wheel I81 and contacts I8I-I85 are closed. Energization of coil [-26 also opens contacts I55--I6I and closes contacts I54'-I 59. Closing of contacts I54I59 establishes a D. C. circuit to energize the add coil 28 from lineDI, through conductors 463 and 46d, closed contacts I-8I-I-85 of 10 switch I8, a conductor 585, closed contacts I54-I59 of'10 switch 18, conductor 4| I, add coil 28 and back to line D2, through conductor 4I2. Contact arm 56 is, therefore, moved one step tocontact 5319.

Opening of contacts I55-I6| of 10 impulse relay I8 deenergizes its coil I26 and contacts I54I 59 are, therefore, opened and contacts I55I 6I- are closed. Coil I26 is then reenergized and contacts I54I59- are closed and contacts I55I-6I areopened, thereby transmitting a second impulse-to the add coil 28-, moving contact arm 55 to the next contact 530 and again deener gizing the 10 relay coil 126. The same sequence of operations follows, except that the third time the coil I26 is energized, the wheel I3] is moved so that the projection I89. drops into the next notch I88 and contacts Isl-485 are opened so that no impulse may be transmitted to the add coil 28 and operation of the 10 relay stops Obviously, however, the second dime effects. the. same operation of the 10 relay I8 and as a result, the contact arm 56 is moved four contacts in all to contact 53c.

During the rapid operation of the add coil 28, the slow release coil ZI has. had four fairly rapid impulses transmitted to it. through conductor 4.2.5, and because of the characteristics. imparted thereto by the copper slugs 2.66, the contacts 2 I I2I3 thereof remain open until all the coins are credited. It is, therefore, impossible for the subtract coil 39 .or the change payout coil 22I to be energized until contacts 2| I--2.I 3. close. While relays. I26 and I2? are of the. slow release. type, they pulse with sufficient rapidity to maintain slow release coil 2i energized, the copper slugs 2561 being rather heavy as compared with the slugs; I28, I29 associated with relays I26, 121, respectively.

However, as. the Contact arm 56 passes the. third. contact 53d, the interlock relay coil 84. is energized in the. manner hereinbefore. described and contacts IQZ-IIBB, I5,3;-I,U'9 and I;Il.4-.I;II of switch at are closed. It is also. to be noted that. contacts 13-1? of switoh69. of interlock relay- I6 are closed atthis time. and contacts 14-18. thereof are open.

As soon as. contacts: ZIIa.2-I3. are closed, the change payout relay coi1:2;2l and the subtract coil; 39 are alternately energized and deenergized. the manner hereinbefjore described. As, themovable contact as. travels. from, contact 53eto 53d, contacts 226228 of change payqllt: relay Switch. 224 are closed, since contacts I3.-'l;1 of; interlock relay I6. are closed, the following A. C. circuit is. established to energize the change payout solenoid. 245d to Pay Q it' one nickel, From line LI, through a conductor 4-56, closed contacts; IE-11 of; interlock relay I6, a conductor 461,, momentarily closed; contacts 2 216228;of change payout switch 224, through conductor 45'II to change payout solenoid- 246d and to line L2- through a conductor 668, thus effecting operation of the nickel slide and.v deliveryof one nickel.

Upon the next energization of the subtract coil 39, the contact arm 56. is moved from the third contact 53d to the second contact 530. The interlock relay coil 58. is,, therefore, energized in a manner heretofore described and contacts 'I3.-I-I- of relay I6 are opened and contacts I l- 18 closed. Even though the contacts 22'6-2.28 of change payout switch 22 are again closed, the change payout solenoiclz 245d cannot again be energized.v Also at this time, the merchandise solenoid. 24601. is energized to deliver a 15- article, in a manner heretofore described. The subtract coilis alternately energized and deenergized until the mov able contact, arm 56 reengages with the initial. contact 53a, whereupon thereset coils 59, and B5. of the interlock relays 16 and I1 are energized to release; the latches and condition the circuit for another vending. operation.

Assume now that a quarter is utilized to. purchase a 15 article. closes contacts (not shown) of thequarterimpulse switch 256 and the following circuits'are established. From'D. C. line DI-, through con-- The quarter momentarily ductor 456, terminal 266, conductor 469, closed contacts of the quarter switch 256, conductors 41I, 412 and 413, through coil I21 of the quarter impulse switch I9, and back to line D2. Coil I21 is, therefore, energized and rotates wheel I 9| one step, thereby forcing the projection I93 out of notch I92 and closing contacts I82-I86.- A circuit is then established from line DI, through conductor 463, closed contacts I82-I86, conductor 414, through contacts I56-I 62 which have been closed upon energization of coil I21 through the conductors 499 and 4| I, through the add coil 28 and conductor 4I2 backrto line D2, thus energizing the add coil 28. The movable contact arm 56 is, therefore, moved one step to the second contact 53b and contacts 4I3-4I4 are closed to operate the push-button lock solenoid 39, through the circuit heretofore described.

Contacts I51-I*63 of the quarter impulse switch are opened upon energization of the coil I21 and the coil is thereby immediately deenergized so that contacts I51-I63 are closed and contacts I56-I62 are opened, thus deenergizing the add coil 28 and again energizing the coil I21. The contacts I51, I63 are again immediately opened, contacts I56-I62 are closed, wheel I9I is turned another step and contact arm 56 is moved to the third contact 530. However, no circuits are established at this time.

The coil I21 of the quarter relay I 9 is energized six times, and on the sixth energization, the projection I93 drops into the next notch I92, thus opening contacts l82-I86. No circuit may, therefore, be established through closed contacts I56-I62 with the result that the add coil 28 receives only five impulses; The movable contact arm 56, therefore, is moved to the contact 53). The impulse relay I9 thereupon stops its operation.

When the contact arm 56 contacts the third contact 53d, as the add coil is operating, the previously described circuit is established to energize the coil 84 of interlock, relay I1 to latch closed contacts I92-I08, I03-I99 and I04-I II of switch 91. However, as long as the relay I9 is operating, the slow release or circuit locking relay 2I maintains the contacts 2| Ia-2I3 thereof open so that neither the change pay-out coil 22I nor the subtract coil 39 may be energized. However, as soon as the 25 impulse relay I9 ceases to operate, the coil 205 of the circuit locking relay is ale-energized and contacts 2I la-2I3 close.

As soon as contacts 2I Ia-2I3 close, the previously described circuit to alternately energize and de-energize, the change pay-out relay coil 22I and the subtract coil 39 are established and each time the contacts 226-228 of the change pay-out relay are closed, the change pay-out coil 246d is energized to deliver one nickel. Furthermore, the contact arm 56 is successively stepped back from contact 53)? to contact 53a, A nickel is, therefore, delivered when contact 56 moves to contact 53c and a second nickel is delivered when contact arm 56 is moved from'contact 53c to contact 53d. When the contact arm 56 is moved to contact 530, however, the coil '58 ofthe interlock relay I6 is energized to open contacts 13-11 and prevent further energization of thechange pay-out coil 246d. Energization of coil 58 also closes contacts 14-18 in the manner hereinbefore described. g

' Furthermore, the circuit heretofore described is established to energize the merchandise delivery coil 246a to deliver a article. It will be obvious, therefore, that 10 in change and the "14 15 article will be'delivered when a quarter is dropped in the coin chute.

When the contact arm 56 reaches the contact 53a, the release magnet coils 59 and of interlock relays l6 and I! are energized to unlatch the relays and position the contacts in the manner shown in Figures 9 and 10. The release magnet coils 59 and 85 are therefore ole-energized, the contacts 4I3-4I4 are opened to de-energize the push-button lock solenoid 30, and the apparatus and circuits are conditioned for another vending operation.

Assume now that a 35 item is desired, it is necessary to insert at least 35 in the coin chutes in coins of any denomination, and the nickel, dime, and quarter switches will establish the circuits heretofore described to move the contact arm 56 into successive engagement with the various contacts and to hold open the slow release relay contacts 2| I-2I3 until all coins are credited. *I However, prior to inserting coins, the 35 pushbutton 212 is pushed in and the 15 push-button switch 219a and the 60 push-button switch 219a have their contacts positioned in the manner shown in Figure 10. However, the 35 pushbutton switch 219 has contacts 323-321 opened, contacts 324328 closed, contacts 329-334 opened, and contacts 93I-335, 336-331 and 339-34I closed. It is obvious therefore that no circuits will be established when the contact arm passes the contacts 53c, 53d because contacts 298-299 and 362-393 of the 15 switch 219a are open.

When the contact arm 56 reaches the seventh contact 53h from the initial contact 53a, the interlock relay I1 has coil 94 thereof energized, since a circuit is established from line LI through conductor 42I, contact arm 56, contact 532), conductor 493, through closed contacts 339-34I of push-button solenoid switch 21917, through a conductor 415 to terminal 3 I3 of push-button switch 219a, through conductor 429, coi1 84 of interlock relay I1, and back to line L2 through conductor 43I, thus energizing the coil 84. As described above, contacts I92-I98, I93-I99 and I94-III are thereby closed.

' If exactly 35 has been inserted in the machine, the circuit-locking relay is de-energized and contacts 2IIa-2I3 thereof are closed. The change pay-out relay 22 and the subtract coil 39 are, therefore, alternately energized and when contact arm 56 reaches the sixth contact 53g, the coil 58 of the interlock relay I6 is energized through the following circuit: from line LI through conductor 42!, contact arm 56, contact 539, conductor 492, through closed contacts 336- 331 of push-button switch 219b, conductor 416 to terminal 3I I of push-button switch 219a, conductor I, closed contacts I93-l99 of interlock relay switch 91, conductor 442, coil 58 of interlock relay I6 and back to line L2 through conductor 449, thus energizing coil 58, opening contacts 13-11 and closing contacts 14-18 thereof. The change pay-out coil 246d therefore cannot be energized, since contacts 13-11 are open, even though the contacts 226-229 of the change payout switch 224 are alternately opened and closed until the contact arm 56 again reaches initial contact 53a. A second circuit is established to operate the 35 merchandise coil 2461), as follows:

From line LI through conductor 92L contact 53g, conductor 492, closed contacts 336-331, through conductor 416 to terminal 3!! of switch 21911 through conductor 44I, closed contacts I93- I99' of interlock switch 91, through conductor 442 and 443 through closed contacts 285-289 of push-button switch 219a, through a conductor 411, through closed contacts 324-328 of pushbutton switch 2192), through a conductor 418, through merchandise coil 24%, through a conductor 419, closed contacts 331-335 of pushbutton switch 21%, conductor 451, closed contacts 366-311 of push-button switch 2190 and back to line L2 through conductor 448. The solenoid coil 24% is, therefore, energized and a 35 item is vended.

If more than 35 is inserted in the apparatusfor example, two quarters-the contact arm 56 will move to the tenth contact 53k. Thereafter, as the subtract coil 39 is successively energized, the contact arm will move to the contacts 537', 632' and 5372 and the nickel change coil 246d will be energized three times to return three nickels in the manner described with respect to the 15 article vending operation. When the contact arm reaches the sixth contact 539, energization of coil 66 of interlock relay l6 prevents any further energization of the change pay-out solenoid 246d. When the contact arm is stepped back to the initial contact 53a, the push-button lock solenoid contacts 413-414 are opened, the release magnet coils 59 and 85 of the interlock release [6 and R1 are energized to position the contacts of the interlock relays, as shown in the wiring diagram and to condition the circuit and apparatus for another vending operation.

Assume now that it is desired to purchase the item, the push-button 213 is pushed in, thus positioning the 15 and 35 push-button switches 219a and 2191) in the position shown in the wiring diagram. However, the 60 push-button switch 2190 has contacts 359-364 opened, contacts 361-365 closed, contacts 366-31! opened and contacts 361-312, 313-314 and contacts 316-311 closed.

If exactly 60 is inserted in the apparatus in nickels, dimes or quarters, the coins will be credited in the manner described heretofore and the contact arm 56 will be moved to the twelfth contact 53m. At the time that the last coin is being credited, the contacts 2 l 10,-2 I3 of the slow release relay 2| are open, since the coil 265 thereof is energized through the circuit heretofore described. Furthermore, since contacts 296-299 and 302-363 of push-button switch 219a are open, no circuits are established as the contact arm 56 passes the second and third contacts 53c and 5311. Likewise, since contacts 336-331 and 339-341 of push-button switch 21% are open, no circuits are established as the contact arm 56 passes the sixth and seventh contacts 539/ and 531).

When the contact arm 56 reaches the contact 53m, however, a circuit is established from line LI through conductor 42 5, contact arm 56, terminal 53m, conductor 565, closed contacts 316-311 of push-button switch 2190, through a conductor 430 to terminal 35! of push-button switch 21% through conductor 415 to terminal 313 of pushbutton switch 219a, through conductor i426, coil 84 of interlock relay i1 and back to line L2 through conductor 43!, thus energizing coil 64. Contacts l92-l68, 163-169 and 164-! ll of switch 91 are, therefore, closed.

As soon as all the coins are credited, the contacts 2i la-2l3 of the slow release relay 2! close, the change payout relay coil 22! and the subtract coil 39 are alternately energized, as described above, thus moving the contact arm 56 toward the initial contact 53a. As the contact arm 56 moves from contact 53m to 53-1, the following circuits are established.

From line Ll through conductor 42L contact arm 56, contact 53L, conductor 464, through closed contacts 313-314 of push-button switch 2190, through a conductor 48! to terminal 349 of push-button switch 21% through conductor 416 to terminal 3 of push-button switch 219a, through conductor 4M, closed contacts 163-109 of interlock relay switch 91, through conductor M2. The circuit then branches-one branch passing through coil 58 of interlock relay l5 and conductor 4433 back to line L2, thus energizing coil 58. Contacts 13-11 of interlock relay switch 69 are therefore opened and the change pay-out coil 246d cannot be energized, even though contacts 226-228 of the change pay-out switch 224 alternately open and close.

Another branch of the circuit passes from conductor 442 through conductor 443, closed contacts 285-269 of push-button switch 2190,, through conductor 611, closed contacts 323-321 of push-button switch 21%, a conductor 482, closed contacts 361, 365 of push-button switch 2190, a conductor 483, coil 2460 of the 60 payout solenoid 220, a conductor 484, closed contacts 361-312 of push-button switch 219a and back to line L2 through a conductor 4G8. Coil 2460 is therefore energized and a 60 item is vended.

Assume now that more than 60 is inserted in the machine-for example, The 75 will be credited in the manner described and the contact arm 66 will move to the fifteenth contact 53p from the initial contact 53a. As soon as all the coins have been credited, the contacts 21 Ia'r2l3 of the slow release relay 2| close and the change pay-out relay coil 22l and the subtract coil 39 are alternately energized. Contact arm 56 is therefore moved successively to contacts 530, 631i and 53m and contacts 226-228 of the change pay-out relay switch 224 are closed three times, thus energizing the change pay-out coil 246d three times and delivering three nickels in change. Thereafter, the interlock relay l6 operates to open the contacts 13-11 of switch 69 thereof and thechange pay-out coil 246d cannot thereafter be energized, even though contacts 226-228: of the change pay-out relay switch 224 open and close.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided apparatus and circuits for vending a plurality of different priced articles and for delivering the proper change if more coins are inserted in the apparatus than the article vended costs. Furthermore, the apparatus is practically unlimited in the number of articles which may be vended and is only limited insofar as the cost of the articles by the denominations of the coins which are available and the number of contacts placed on the contactor it. The device is also capable of dispensing more than one article at the same price, as this depends entirely upon which of the push-buttons is selected and the connections thereto from the contactor 15.

Furthermore, as soon as all the coins are inserted, the apparatus immediately pays out the change due, if any, and thereafter immediately delivers the merchandise. These operations are performed before the contact arm 56 is returned all the way to its initial position. In addition, the relays and other apparatus described operate very rapidly so that the customer is assured of the proper change and the article within a very short time after the article is selected and the coins deposited.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my coin controlled apparatus without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasona ly included within their scope without sacrificing any of'the advantages thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for vending a plurality of different priced articles one at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive switch means for coins of difierent denominations, an electrical-add and subtract stepper means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins in response to operation of one or more of said switch means, a

set of spaced contacts, contact means movable by said stepper means for an initialcontact to subsequent contactsand then back to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced'contacts, means for selectively affording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the article the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means which is operated by a coin of a larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said stepper means to credit the proper number of units, a plurality of article delivery means, means for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means incident to suiiicient coins having been inserted to cause said add stepper means to move said movable contact means 'a sufficient dis- I lock relay for preparing a circuit which is com-:

pleted by return of said movable contact means to the first of said set of spaced contacts, and an instantaneous circuit established by engagement of said movable contact with said initial contact to reset said interlock relay and thereby condition said apparatus for another vending operation and to break said instantaneous circuit.

nomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, electrically operated means for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means in response to operation of said coin responsive means and said interlock relay means incident to sufficient coins having been inserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a sufficient distance to pass a first contact to establish one of said circuits previously selected and engage or pass the second contact to prepare said second circuit previously selected and return to the first of the pair of selected contacts, and elec- 2. Apparatus for vending a plurality of diiferent priced articles, one at a time, and making proper change with each article if more than the price thereof is inserted in the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations, an add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins, a set of spaced contacts, interlock relay means, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an initial con- ,tact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, a circuit connected'to'each of two spaced contacts for each pricedarticle; means for selectively affording energization of twoof said circuits depending on the article the veridee deires to purchase, said last meanscomprising a plurality of manually operated switches, a locking solenoid for preventing operation of said switches after coins have been insert'e'dlin said apparatus and before delivery .of an article, an impulse means responsive toone of said coin responsive means which is operated by-a coin of larger detrically operated means including said interlock relay means for energizing said add and subtract means to return said movable contact means to said initial contact after the add and subtract means has credited units corresponding to all of the coins utilized.

3. Apparatus for vending a plurality of different priced articles, one at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations, add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins, a plurality of spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an initial contact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, an interlock relay disposed in at least one of said circuits and including a switch, means for selectively affording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the article the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means, which is operated by a coin of larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, electrical operating means for operating the article delivery means selected incident to sufficient coins having been inserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a sufficient distance to engage a predetermined one of said contacts to establish the circuit previously selected and a secondcontact following said last mentioned contact, said interlock switch controlling the circuit to said electrical operating means, said interlock relay being energized upon engagement of the movable contact means with said one of said contacts to operate said interlock switch and energize said electrical operating means when said movable contact means returns to a contact which it engaged prior to said one of said contacts as said add means was operated, and means for energizing said add and subtract means to return said movable contact means to said initial contact after said movable contact means engages said one of said contacts.

4. Apparatus for vending a plurality of different priced articles, one at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit deselectively affording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the article the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means, which is operated by a coin or larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract'means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single.

.unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, electrical operating means for operating the article delivery means selected incident to sufficient coins having been inserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a sufficient distance to engage a predetermined one of said contacts to establish the circuit previously selected and a second contact following said last mentioned contact, said interlock switch controlling the circuit to said electrical operating means, said interlock relay being energized upon engagement of the movable contact means with said one of said contacts to operate said interlock switch and energize said electrical operating means when said movable contact means returns to a contact'which it engaged prior to said one of said contacts as said add means was operated, said interlock means being latched into one position upon initial energization thereof, means for energizing the subtract means ior moving said movable contact means back to said initial contact, and means for unlatching the interlock means whenthe movable contact means returns to said initial contact.

5. Apparatus for vending a plurality of different priced articles, one at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations, add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins,

an initial contact and first and second spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from said initial contact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, a pair of interlock relays connected in circuits controlledby separate spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of at least two of said circuits, each including one interlock relay, depending on the article the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means which is operated by a coin of larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, means for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means when sufiicient coins have beeninserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a suiiicient dist'anceto. engage said-second contact after having engaged the firstronetoestablish acircuit for oneiof said interlock :rela-ys previously selected, said interlock irelays including latching means operable upondnitial energization thereof, the

able contact means tosaid initial contact 6. Apparatus for vendinga plurality of different priced articles, one. at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations,:add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins, first and second spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an:

initial contact-to subsequent contacts and then.

back to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected topredetermined spaced contacts, a pair of interlock relays connected in circuits con-- trolled by separate spaced contacts, means for selectivelyaffording energizationoi at least two of said circuits, each circuit including one of said interlockrelays, depending on thezarticle the vendee-desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means which is operated by a coin of larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to; said addrandsubtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract meansalso-beingenergized in response to operation'of a coinresponsive means corresponding to asingle unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, means for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means in response to operation of. said coin responsive means'when sufiicientcoins have been inserted to means to said initial contact-and means for unglatching, both .upon'the ,circuitsselected after .hav-

:ing-engagedsaid; second contact;:means for energizingsaid add-andsubtractymeans to return ,saidmovable :contactmeans to said initial contact, and means for unlatching both of said inter- -;.1ock relays when said movable contact means reachesasaid initial-contact tocondition the circuit for another vending operation.

7. Apparatus for vending azplurality of different priced articles one-at atime, comprising a plurality of coin responsive'means for coins of a single unitand of a larger than single unit denominations, an add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins; a source of electrical power, a set of spaced contacts; contact means movableflby said add and subtract means from aninitial contact to subsequent contac s and. thenback to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, means for selectively afiording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the article the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means which is operated by a coin of a larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means'to said add and subtract means to credit the proper num-- ber of units, said add and subtract means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single unit denomination, a slow release relay including contacts thereon which are normally closed, and which are held in the open position during the time impulses are being translated to credit the proper number of units, a plurality of article delivery means, electrical means for operating the selected article delivery means in response to operation of said coin responsive means when sufficient coins have been inserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a sufiicient distance to engage a contact to establish the circuit previously selected, relay means then energized for preparing a circuit to one of said spaced contacts for said article delivery means which circuit is completed by return of said movable contact means to said last mentioned contact, said slow release contacts being disposed in a circuit between said source of power and said subtract means so that when open the subtract means is rendered inefiective, and means for energizing said add and subtract means after the movable contact means has engaged said circuit establishing contact to return said movable contact means to said initial contact.

8. Apparatus for vending a plurality of different priced articles, one at a time, comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations, and add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins, a plurality of spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from said initial contact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, a pair of interlock relays connected in circuits controlled by separate spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of at least two of said circuits, each including one interlock relay, depending on the article the vendee sequent contacts one of whichis passed as the add means operates and then back to said initial contact, means for connecting said contact means tactmeans reaches a predetermined contact depending upon the circuit selected, the other of said interlock means being initially energized upon the movable contact means engaging a second contact depending upon the circuit selected after having engaged said predetermined contact and then returned to said second contact, and means for energizing said add and subtract means after 'said movable contact means has engaged said second contact to return said movable contact means to said initial contact, said interlock relays including two coils, one of which is energized when the movable contact arm reaches a predetermined contact to effect said latching operation, and the other of which is energized when the movable contact means reaches the initial con- I tact to unlatch said latching means.

9. Crediting and debiting apparatus for conand a subtract means adapted to be energized tacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an initial contact to subto said source of power, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, means for selectively ailording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the will of the operator, an impulse means responsive to closure of one of said switches which is adapted to operate said add means more than one time, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive tion of said coin responsive means when sufficient coins have been inserted to cause said add and subtract means to move said movable contact means a sufficient distance to pass one of said subsequent contacts, engage another thereof and return to said one of said contacts to establish a circuit previously selected,- said interlock means including latching means operable upon initial energization thereof, one of said interlock means being initially energized when said movable conproper number. of units, one of said switch means being electrically connected to said add means to operate it a single time upon closure of said last mentioned switch, a slow release relay including contacts thereon which are normally closed, means for holding the slow release relay contacts in the open position during the time impulses are being translated to add the proper number of units, a plurality of electrically operated means, means for operating a predetermined one of said operating means when said switches have been operated a predetermined number of times to cause said add means to move said movable contact means a sufiicient distance to engage a contact to prepare the circuit previously selected so that when said contact means returns to said passed contact said circuit will be established, said relay contacts being interposed between said subtract means and said source of power, so as to preclude operation thereof during the time that impulses are being transmitted to said add means,

and means for energizing said subtract means to return said movable contact means to said initial contact.

10. Crediting and debiting apparatus for connection to a source of power comprising an add and a subtract means adapted to be energized from said source of power, a plurality of switches, closure of which operates said add means a different number of times, a plurality of spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an initial contact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, means for connecting said contact means to said source of power, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the will of the operator, an

impulse means responsiveto closure .of one ofsaid switches whichis adapted to operate said add means more than onetime, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtractmeans to credit the proper number of units, one of said switch means being electrically connected to said add means to operate it a single time upon closure of said last mentioned switch, .a pair of interlock relays connected in circuits controlled by separate spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of at least two of said circuits, each including one interlock relay depending on the circuit selected by the operator, a plurality of electrically operated means, means for operating one of said electrically operated means when suliicient credits have been added by said add means to movesaid movable contact means a sunicient distance to pass one of said separate spaced contacts, engage another thereof and return to said one of said contacts to complete a circuit previously selected, said interlock means including latching means operable upon initial energization thereof, one of said interlockv means being initially energized when said movable contact means reaches one of said separate spaced contacts depending upon the circuit selected after having engaged said one of said spaced contacts and then returned to the other of said separate spaced contacts, the other of said interlock means being initially energized upon the movable contact means engaging said one of said separate spaced contacts depending upon the circuit selected, and means for then energizing said subtract means to return said movable contact means to said initial contact.

11. Crediting and debiting apparatus for connection to a source of power comprising an add and a subtract means adapted to be energized from said source of power, a plurality of switches, closure of which operates said add means a diiierent number of times, a plurality of spaced contacts, contact means movable by said add and subtract means from an initial contact to subsequent contacts and then back to said initial contact, means for connecting said contact means to said source of power, a plurality of circuits connected to predetermined spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of certain of said circuits depending on the will of the operator, an impulse means responsive to closure of one of said switches which is adapted to operate said add means more than one time, means for translating the impulses from said im pulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, one of said switch means being electrically connected to said add means to operate it a single time upon closure of said last mentioned switch, a pair of interlock relays connected in circuits controlled by separate spaced contacts, means for selectively affording energization of at least two of said circuits, each including one interlock relay depending on the circuit selected by the operator, a plurality of electrically operated means, means for operating one of said electrically operated means when sufiicient credits have been added by said add means to move said movable contact means a sufiicient distance to pass one of said separate spaced contacts, engage another thereof and return to said one of said contacts to complete a circuit previously selected, said interlock means including latching means operable upon initial energization thereof, one of said interlock means being initially energized when said movable contact means reaches one of said separate spaced contacts depending upon the circuit selected after having engaged said one of said spaced contacts and then return to the other of said separate spaced contacts, the-otherof said interlock means being initially energized upon the movable contact-means engaging said one of said separate spaced contactsdepending upon the circuit selected, and means for then energizing said subtract means to returnsaidmovable contact means to said initial contact, said interlock relays including two coils, one of which is energized when the movable contact reaches a predetermined contact to effect said latching operation and the other of which is energized when the movable contact means reaches the initial contact to unlatch said latching means.

12. Apparatus for vending a plurality of diiier" ently priced articles, one at a time, and making proper change with each article if more than the price thereof is inserted in the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a plurality of coin switch means responsive to coins of different denominations, an add and subtract stepper means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins in response .to operation of said switch means, relay means also operated and maintained thereby during the coin crediting operation, a set of spaced contacts, movable contact means operated by said add stepper means from an initial contact to subsequent contacts and then by said subtract stepper means back to said initial contact, a plurality of pairs of circuits connected to said spaced contacts respectively, means for selectively afiording energization of said pairs of circuits depending on the article. the vendee desires to purchase, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin switch means which is operated by a coin of larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add stepper means to credit the proper number of units, a plurality of article delivery means, said relay means energizing said subtract stepper means to return said movable contact means to said initial contact when the add stepper means has credited units corresponding to all of the coins utilized and ceases to maintain said relay means, electrically operated means for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means incident to selecting a predetermined delivery circuit, and as a result of sufficient coins having been inserted to cause said stepper means to move said movable contact means a sufficient distance to pass a first contact of a circuit previously selected, and engage or pass a second contact and establish a circuit for said subtract stepper through said relay means upon engaging said sec-- ond contact, and return to said first contact, to establish a delivering circuit previously selected, a single change magazine for holding coins of said single unit denomination, means for delivering the correct change in coins from said magazine by operation of said stepper means incident to said movable contact means having moved past said second contact connected to said preselected energizable circuit and is returning said movable contact means to successively effect engagement thereof with one or more contacts up to and including said second contact connected to said preselected energizable delivery circuit, and means for preventing operation of said change delivery means and said stepper means while said stepper means is crediting units.

13. Apparatus for vending a plurality of diiferent priced articles, or the same priced articles,

one at a time, and delivering the correct change with each article if more than the price thereof is inserted in the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a plurality of coin responsive means for coins of a single unit and of a larger than single unit denominations, an add and subtract means for crediting and debiting units represented by said coins, a set of spaced contacts, contact means adapted to engage successively with said contacts starting from an initial contact, means responsive to movement of said add and subtract means for effecting said engagement, a plurality of circuits connected individually to predetermined contacts, means for selecting the article the vendee desires to purchase, interlock relay means responsive to said contact means engaging the second of said set of spaced contacts as said add means operates and operable to locked position thereby for affording energization of certain predetermined circuits and precluding energization of others until the vending operation is completed, said interlock relay means having unlocking means energized by return and engagement of said contact means with said initial contact for conditioning the apparatus for another vending operation, an impulse means responsive to one of said coin responsive means which is operated by a coin of larger denomination than that corresponding to a single unit, means for translating the impulses from said impulse means to said add and subtract means to credit the proper number of units, said add and subtract means also being energized in response to operation of a coin responsive means corresponding to a single unit denomination, a plurality of article delivery means, electrical means responsive to circuits established by certain of said contacts of said set of spaced contacts for operating a predetermined one of said article delivery means in response to operation of said coin responsive means incident to suflicient coins having been utilized to credit suflicient units and one of said circuits has been selected for energization, a change magazine, and electrically operated means responsive to said contact means passing the contact for said interlock relay means and returning thereto for delivering the correct change from said change magazine in response to operation of said coin responsive means incident to coins over the price of the preselected article having been inserted in the apparatus.

MARVIN G, NELSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,635,451 Zsoldos July 12, 1927 1,910,978 Allison Ma 23, 1933 2,073,870 Johns Mar. 16, 1937 2,076,564 Hoban Apr. 13, 1937 2,122,550 Adrian July 5, 1938 2,325,536 Osborne July 27, 1943 2,330,186 Jetseck et a1 Sept. 21, 1943 2,354,896 Weiler Aug. 1, 1944 2,384,585 Alexander Sept. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 137,543 Great Britain Apr. 11, 1921 403,366 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1933 516,808 Germany Jan. 29, 1931 578,158 Great Britain June 18, 1946 

